The Greece international, 28, arrived at Parkhead on loan from Manchester City in January 2008, before signing a permanent deal the following summer, and is now the longest-serving player at the club aside from skipper Scott Brown.

While speculation surrounds the future of Hoops players such as Gary Hooper, Victor Wanyama and Fraser Forster, Samaras is "fully committed" to the Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions and will discuss an extension to his current deal, which finishes next year, at a time to suit both parties.

Speaking at Lennoxtown ahead of Saturday's SPL clash with St Johnstone at Parkhead, he said: "I have one more year of my contract and hopefully I will be here next season.

"Six years is a lot but it has gone in so fast and when you feel good at the club, people are looking after you and you feel you are part of a big family, I cannot see a reason to leave.

"But it is too soon to speak about a contract. When they are ready and I am ready then we will have a chat.

"But we have plenty of time, don't worry."

On the theme of possible changes at the Parkhead club, Samaras is not surprised that boss Neil Lennon has been linked with the vacant managerial post at Everton, following David Moyes' imminent departure to take over from soon-to-be-retired Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

He said: "I haven't heard anything but all I can say is that when you are playing at a high level like the Champions League and doing well then for sure people will come and watch the players or the manager or whoever is part of the team.

"That is normal. When you are doing well when people will come and watch you.

"But I don't know what he is thinking or what he wants to do."

Samaras is looking forward to Celtic being presented with the SPL trophy on Saturday, before they turn their attentions to the William Hill Scottish Cup final against Hibernian at Hampden Park later in the month.

"It is a great day for everyone, for all the hard work we have put in all season," said Samaras, who was recently voted player of the year by the club's supporters.

"It is day when the fans and enjoy the game, there is no pressure, just a celebration.

"Our mentality is to go and win every game. I know in the last couple of games we didn't have the best results but to be honest we are really focused for the cup final.

"It would be great to win the cup. Everybody is looking forward to that game."I have been six years at the club and I haven't done the double and I think now is the perfect timing."

Meanwhile, French defender Steven Mouyokolo has been training with the Celtic squad at Lennoxtown.

The 26-year-old centre-back is a free agent after his contract with Wolves was terminated by mutual consent in January.

Readers' Comments

I

t's wrong to be making a joke out of Bender's name at the expense of gay people. It's the kind of childish, uncivilised thing that Football365 would deride and ridicule if it was another media outlet saying. Why is there a need for jokes like this? Does it make your writers feel like men? F365 might suggest that I 'lighten up', but it is genuinely traumatic for people who have been oppressed all their lives to be the butt of jokes, and to be told...

ou can't blame De Gea for wanting to leave, he has enough to do in front of goal as it is as well as taking on the role of Man Utd's version of Derek Acorah in trying to contact and organise a defence that isn't there.